Hand support controlling device for an elliptical exercise apparatus

ABSTRACT

A hand support controlling device includes two hand support rod members and two controlling units. Each of the rod members has upper and lower rod sections, which are disposed rotatably on a base. Each controlling unit is rotatable between a first position, wherein the respective upper rod section is connected fixedly to the respective lower rod section so that the respective upper rod section can swing back and forth about a pivot axis, and a second position, wherein the respective upper rod section is fixed relative to the base and wherein the respective lower rod section is rotatable about the pivot axis.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The invention relates to an elliptical exercise apparatus, more particularly to a hand support controlling device for an elliptical exercise apparatus.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Referring to FIG. 1, a conventional elliptical exercise apparatus 1 is shown to comprise a base seat 11, a flywheel assembly 12, a pair of shafts 13, a pair of hand support rod members 14, and a pair of linking rods 15. The base seat 11 includes a base 111 and an upright post 112 extending upwardly and integrally from a front end of the base 111. The flywheel assembly 12 includes a flywheel 121 and a pair of cranks 122 (only one is visible) connected respectively to two opposite sides of the flywheel 12. Each of the shafts 13 has a front end 131 connected pivotally to a respective one of the cranks 122, and a rear end 132 disposed slidably on the base 111. The hand support rod members 14 are connected pivotally and respectively to the left and right sides of the post 112. Each of the rod members 14 has an upper end 141 that serves as a hand support, and a lower end 142 that is opposite to the upper end 141. Each of the linking rods 15 has a rear end portion 152 connected pivotally to a respective one of the shafts 13, and a front end 151 connected pivotally to a respective one of the rod members 14 so that the rod members 14 can swing back and forth relative to the base 111. The rear end portion 152 of each of the linking rods 15 is provided with a pedal member 153.

[0005] In use, when the user stands on the pedal members 153 and exerts foot pressures alternately on the shafts 13, the front ends 131 of the shafts 13 follow rotation of the cranks 122, while the rear ends 132 of the shafts 13 move slidably on the base 111 so that forward and rearward sliding movements of the shafts 13 can guide the linking rods 15 to move in elliptical motions. The user grasps the hand support rod members 14 at the same time so that the hands of the user can swing back and forth relative to the base 111. As such, exercise of the leg and arm muscles is attained.

[0006] However, the design of the conventional elliptical exercise apparatus 1 requires the user to exercise the hand portions aside from exercising the leg portions such that those users who do not want to exercise their hand portions have to release their grips on the hand support rod members 14 during exercise, thereby resulting in the possibility that the user may fall off from the exercise apparatus 1.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Therefore, the main object of the present invention is to provide a hand support controlling device for an elliptical exercise apparatus that is capable of overcoming the aforementioned drawback of the prior art.

[0008] According to the present invention, a hand support controlling device is adapted to be used on an elliptical exercise apparatus, which includes a base positioned on a ground surface and having a front end, an upright post connected fixedly to the front end of the base, and a pair of shafts capable of movement on the base in elliptical motions. The controlling device comprises a pair of hand support rod members and a pair of controlling units disposed respectively and rotatably on the rod members. Each of the hand support rod members has an upper rod section with a lower end, and a lower rod section with an upper end. The lower ends and the upper ends are adapted to be connected pivotally to the post so that the upper rod sections and the lower rod sections are rotatable about a horizontal pivot axis. Each of the controlling units is rotatable between first and second positions. When the controlling unit is disposed at the first position, the upper rod section of a respective one of the rod members is connected fixedly to a respective one of the lower rod sections so that the respective one of the upper rod sections can swing back and forth about the pivot axis. When the controlling unit is disposed at the second position, the upper rod section of the respective one of the rod members is fixed relative to the base, and the lower rod section of the respective one of the rod members is rotatable about the pivot axis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

[0010]FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a conventional elliptical exercise apparatus, illustrating how elliptical motions of two pedal members can be achieved during exercise;

[0011]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an elliptical exercise apparatus incorporating the preferred embodiment of a hand support controlling device of the present invention;

[0012]FIG. 3 is a partly exploded perspective view, illustrating a hand support rod member of the preferred embodiment;

[0013]FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the exercise apparatus shown in FIG. 2, illustrating how operation of L-shaped rotary levers of the controlling units can fix the position of upper rod sections of the hand support rod members relative to a base, while permitting rotation of lower rod sections of the rod members about a pivot axis, as shown by the arrows;

[0014]FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of the hand support rod member shown in FIG. 3, illustrating how a limiting piece engages a limiting slot in an inner positioning member so as to fix the position of the upper rod section relative to the base of the exercise apparatus;

[0015]FIG. 6 is another schematic view of the elliptical exercise apparatus, illustrating how the operation of the rotary levers of the controlling units results in simultaneous movement of the upper and lower rod sections of the hand support rod members; and

[0016]FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view of the hand support rod member shown in FIG. 3, illustrating how the limiting piece engages a limiting slot in an outer positioning member so as to connect the upper rod section fixedly to the lower rod section.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0017] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the preferred embodiment of a hand support controlling device 100 according to the present invention is adapted to be used on an elliptical exercise apparatus 2, and is shown to comprise a pair of hand support rod members 3, a pair of positioning units 4, and a pair of controlling units 5 (see FIGS. 3 and 6). The exercise apparatus 2 includes a base 21 positioned on a ground surface and having a front end 211, an upright post 213 connected fixedly to the front end 211 of the base 21, a horizontal shaft 214 extending through the post 213, a flywheel assembly 22 connected rotatably to the post 213, a pair of pedal shafts 23 capable of movement on the base 213 in elliptical motions, a pair of pedal members 24, and a pair of linking rods 25. The base 21 further has a pair of rail seats 212 disposed opposite to each other at the rear ends of the base 21. The flywheel assembly 22 has a flywheel 221 and a pair of cranks 222 (only one is visible in FIG. 2) disposed respectively on left and right sides of the flywheel 221. Each of the pedal shafts 23 has a front end portion 231 connected pivotally to a respective one of the cranks 222, and a rear end portion 232 that moves slidably along a respective one of the rail seats 212. Each of the pedal members 24 is connected pivotally to a respective one of the pedal shafts 23. Each of the linking rods 25 has a rear end portion 252 connected to a respective one of the pedal members 24 in a known manner, and a front end portion 251 opposite to the rear end portion 252.

[0018] Each of the hand support rod members 3 of the preferred embodiment has an upper rod section 31 with a lower end 311, and a lower rod section 32 with an upper end 321 (see FIG. 3). The lower ends 311 and the upper ends 321 are adapted to be connected pivotally to the post 213 so that the upper rod sections 31 and the lower rod sections 32 are rotatable about a horizontal pivot axis (X).

[0019] Each of the positioning units 4 of the preferred embodiment includes an outer positioning member 42, an inner positioning member 43, and an intermediate positioning member 41 (see FIG. 3). Each of the outer positioning members 42 has an annular outer wall 421 that surrounds the pivot axis (X) and that is connected fixedly to the upper end 321 of the lower rod section 32 of the respective one of the rod members 3, an annular inner end wall 422 connected fixedly to an inner end of the outer wall 421, an annular inner wall 424 surrounding the pivot axis (X) so as to define a shaft hole 423 for receiving the horizontal shaft 214 rotatably, and a limiting slot 425 (see FIGS. 5 and 7) that extends through the inner end wall 422. The outer positioning member 42 of each of the positioning units 4 is disposed at one side of the respective upper rod section 31.

[0020] The inner positioning member 43 of each of the positioning units 4 is disposed at the other side of the respective upper rod section 31, has a limiting slot 431 (see FIG. 3) that is aligned with and that is substantially similar in shape to the limiting slot 425 in the outer positioning member 42 of a respective one of the positioning units 4, and is sleeved fixedly on the horizontal shaft 214.

[0021] The intermediate positioning member 41 of each of the positioning units 4 is connected fixedly to the lower end 311 of the upper rod section 31 of the respective one of the hand support rod members 3, and includes a first side surface 411 abutting against the side surface 422 of a respective one of the outer positioning members 42, a second side surface 412 opposite to the first side surface 411 and adjacent to a respective one of the inner positioning members 43, an axial hole 413 that extends along the pivot axis (X) and that engages the horizontal shaft 214, an axial slot 414 that extends horizontally through the intermediate positioning member 41 in alignment with the limiting slots 425, 431 and that is parallel to the pivot axis (X), and an annular outer surface 416 formed with a lever hole 415 that is in communication with the axial slot 414 and that is transverse to the pivot axis (X). The intermediate positioning member 41 of each of the positioning units 4 is sleeved rotatably on the horizontal shaft 214.

[0022] Each of the controlling units 5 of the preferred embodiment includes a limiting piece 51 and an L-shaped rotary lever 52 (see FIG. 3). Each of the limiting pieces 51 is mounted rotatably on a respective one of the upper rod sections 31, and has a free end 513. Each of the rotary levers 52 is connected non-rotatably to a respective one of the limiting pieces 51, and is operable to rotate a respective one of the controlling units 5 to first and second positions. When the controlling unit 5 is disposed at the first position, as shown in FIG. 7, the upper rod section 31 of the respective one of the rod members 3 is connected fixedly to a respective one of the lower rod sections 32 so that the respective one of the upper rod sections 31 can swing back and forth about the pivot axis (X), as shown in FIG. 6. When the controlling unit 5 is disposed at the second position, as shown in FIG. 5, the upper rod section 31 of the respective one of the rod members 3 is fixed relative to the base 21, and the lower rod section 32 of the respective one of the rod members 3 is rotatable about the pivot axis (X), as shown in FIG. 4. The rotary levers 52 have a semicircular cross-section. The limiting pieces 51 include semicircular holes 512 for receiving the rotary levers 52 respectively and fittingly so that each of the limiting pieces 51 can rotate synchronously with a respective one of the rotary levers 52.

[0023] Each of the axial slots 414 in the intermediate positioning members 41 is provided for receiving the limiting piece 51 of the respective one of the controlling units 5 therein so as to permit 180° rotation of the limiting pieces 51 within the axial slots 414. Each of the lever holes 415 in the intermediate positioning members 41 is provided for extension of the rotary lever 52 of the respective one of the controlling units 5 therethrough so as to engage the hole 512 in a respective one of the limiting pieces 51.

[0024] The free end 513 of each of the limiting pieces 51 is engaged within the limiting slot 425 in a respective one of the outer positioning members 42 when the respective one of the controlling units 5 is disposed at the first position, and within the limiting slot 431 in a respective one of the inner positioning members 43 when the respective one of the controlling units 5 is disposed at the second position. The limiting slot 431, 425 in each of the inner and outer positioning members 43, 42 has an enlarged upper portion 432 to facilitate engagement of the free end 513 of the limiting piece 51 of the respective one of the controlling units 5 therein, and a lower portion 433 that is narrower than the upper portion 432 and that is shaped so as to receive fittingly the free end 513 of the limiting piece 51 of the respective one of the controlling units 5.

[0025] Because the horizontal shaft 214 is fixed to the post 213, the inner positioning member 43 of each of the positioning units 4 is fixed relative to the post 213 so that the limiting piece 51 of the respective one of the controlling units 5 can engage a selected one of the inner and outer positioning members 43, 42 by rotating the respective one of the rotary levers 52, thereby locating the respective one of the controlling units 5 at a selected one of the first and second positions.

[0026] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, when the user rotates the rotary levers 52 toward the post 213 of the exercise apparatus 2, the free ends 513 of the limiting pieces 51 can rotate within the axial slots 414 until the free ends 513 engage the limiting slots 431 in the inner positioning members 43, thereby fixing the intermediate positioning members 41 relative to the inner positioning members 43. As such, the upper rod sections 31 of the hand support rod members 3 are prevented from swinging relative to the base 21, while the lower rod sections 32 of the rod members 3 can still swing back and forth relative to the base 21. Thus, it is only necessary for the user to step on the pedal members 24 with both hands gripping the upper rod sections 31 to start the exercise. The user pedals in frontward and rearward directions so as to rotate the cranks 222 and the flywheel assembly 22 subsequently such that the pedal members 24 follow generally elliptical motions, thereby achieving exercise of the user's leg muscles.

[0027] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, when the user rotates the rotary levers 52 from the positions shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 away from the post 213 of the exercise apparatus 2 by an angle of 180° about the pivot axis (X), the free ends 513 of the limiting pieces 51 can rotate within the axial slots 414 until the free ends 513 engage the limiting slots 425 in the respective outer positioning members 42. As such, the upper rod sections 31 of the rod members 3 are connected fixedly to the lower rod sections 32, and can swing back and forth relative to the base 21. Similarly, it is only necessary for the user to step on the pedal members 24 with both hands gripping the upper rod sections 31 to start the exercise. In this exercise, the hands and the feet of the user can move simultaneously, thereby achieving exercise of the user's leg muscles and hand portions.

[0028] From the above description of the preferred embodiment of the hand support controlling device 100 of the present invention, it is apparent that the upper rod sections 31 of the hand support rod members 3 can be connected fixedly to the lower rod sections 32 so that the upper and lower rod sections 31, 32 can swing back and forth, or separated from the lower rod sections 32 so as to be fixed relative to the base 21. As such, the user can choose to have his hands moving with the feet at the same time, or simply holding the upper rod sections 31 steadily for support during exercise so as to maintain balance and enhance safety.

[0029] While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiment but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements. 

We claim:
 1. A hand support controlling device for an elliptical exercise apparatus, which includes a base positioned on a ground surface and having a front end, an upright post connected fixedly to the front end of the base, and a pair of shafts capable of movement on the base in elliptical motions, said controlling device comprising: a pair of hand support rod members, each of which has an upper rod section with a lower end, and a lower rod section with an upper end, said lower ends and said upper ends being adapted to be connected pivotally to the post so that said upper rod sections and said lower rod sections are rotatable about a horizontal pivot axis, rotation of said lower rod sections about said pivot axis resulting in the elliptical motions of the shafts; and a pair of controlling units disposed respectively and rotatably on said rod members, each of said controlling units being rotatable between a first position, wherein said upper rod section of a respective one of said rod members is connected fixedly to a respective one of said lower rod sections so that a respective one of said upper rod sections can swing back and forth about said pivot axis, and a second position, wherein said upper rod section of the respective one of said rod members is fixed relative to the base and wherein said lower rod section of the respective one of said rod members is rotatable about said pivot axis.
 2. The controlling device of claim 1, wherein each of said controlling units includes: a limiting piece mounted rotatably on the respective one of said upper rod sections; and an L-shaped rotary lever connected non-rotatably to said limiting piece and operable to rotate a respective one of said controlling units to said first and second positions.
 3. The controlling device of claim 2, wherein said rotary levers have a semicircular cross-section, said limiting pieces being formed with semicircular holes for receiving said rotary levers respectively and fittingly so that each of said limiting pieces can rotate synchronously with a respective one of said rotary levers.
 4. The controlling device of claim 3, further comprising a pair of positioning units, each of which includes: an outer positioning member connected fixedly to said upper end of said lower rod section of the respective one of said rod members and disposed at one side of said upper rod section of the respective one of said rod members; and an inner positioning member disposed at the other side of said upper rod section and adapted to be fixed relative to the post so that said limiting piece of the respective one of said controlling units can engage a selected one of said inner and outer positioning members by rotating a respective one of said rotary levers, thereby locating the respective one of said controlling units at a selected one of said first and second positions.
 5. The controlling device of claim 4, wherein each of said positioning units further includes an intermediate positioning member which is connected fixedly to said lower end of said upper rod section of the respective one of said rod members, and which includes an axial slot that extends horizontally through said intermediate positioning member and that is parallel to said pivot axis, and an annular outer surface formed with a lever hole that is in communication with said axial slot and that is transverse to said pivot axis, each of said axial slots being provided for receiving said limiting piece of the respective one of said controlling units therein so as to permit 180° rotation of said limiting pieces within said axial slots, said lever hole in each of said positioning units being provided for extension of said rotary lever of the respective one of said controlling units therethrough so as to engage said hole in a respective one of said limiting pieces, each of said inner and outer positioning members having a limiting slot, said limiting piece of each of said controlling units having a free end, which is engaged within said limiting slot in a respective one of said outer positioning members when the respective one of said controlling units is disposed at said first position, and within said limiting slot in a respective one of said inner positioning members when the respective one of said controlling units is disposed at said second position.
 6. The controlling device of claim 5, wherein said limiting slot in each of said inner and outer positioning members has an enlarged upper portion to facilitate engagement of said free end of said limiting piece of the respective one of said controlling units therein, and a lower portion that is narrower than said upper portion and that is shaped so as to receive fittingly said free end of said limiting piece of the respective one of said controlling units. 